Two Ways To Play: Markets Get Tough On Tech

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Shares of Research In Motion (RIMM) are trading sharply lower this morning. Bloomberg says the maker of BlackBerry phones reported earnings of $0.86 per share, missing expectations by a penny.

Revenues rose 15% to $2.57 billion, slightly below the $2.595 billion consensus. Analysts cited concerns over the company's gross margins as an eye-opener. For the quarter, that figure dropped to 47% from 50.7% in the previous period. Research In Motion's sales forecast met expectations, but profits were below estimates for the second straight quarter. From the Bull Pen: Bulls can consider Marvel (MRVL) for an upside play. Sell stops can be set below $10 support. But the safer tech play may be in security software. McAfee (MFE) comes to mind. Bulls can consider entry if the stock can pull back to $32. From the Bear Cave: The easy trade in Research In Motion is over. Google (GOOG) may be a better downside option with a buy stop above $450.

Tech to Suffer

According to Bloomberg, companies like Microsoft (MSFT) and Cisco Systems (CSCO) may lose $4.3 billion in orders next year as financial companies are forced to cut spending to the lowest levels since 2000. Larry Tabb of Tabb Group, which tracks securities firm budgets, says spending on technology in the financial sector could fall 20% to $17.6 billion next year, down from an estimated $21.9 billion in 2008. As companies cut back in businesses like asset securitization, Tabb says it would only make sense to eliminate the technology and resources used for those jobs. An estimated 20% of all global technology spending comes from the financial sector. From the Bull Pen: Microsoft may still be the better upside play. Bulls can consider sell stops near in the $25.50-25 range.

From the Bear Cave: Those bearish on Cisco can consider a buy stop above $24.

For more ideas in real time throughout the trading day, check out Minyanville's Buzz & Banter.

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